How to compost at home

Food waste in a compost bin

If your local authority doesn’t offer a food waste recycling service, you can recycle your food waste in a composting bin or a compost heap.

Instead of banishing your leftovers to landfill, you can compost them at home or recycle your food waste using your kitchen caddy. There is no amount of food waste too small - every bit of recycled food waste reduces the release of destructive greenhouse gases and helps Scotland get to its net zero emissions target. 

Why composting matters

It's a much more environmentally friendly alternative to sending food waste to landfill, where harmful greenhouse gases are created. In a compost heap or bin, your food waste will have plenty of oxygen to naturally break down alongside any garden waste, creating free and nutrient-rich compost ready for planting. 

You can find a range of compost bins at most garden centres or online. Some compost bins will be suitable for more foods than others, so you should always follow the instructions. If you decide to create a compost heap, try not to disturb it until at least spring time, as many creatures hibernate and take shelter in them. 

Compost

What to Compost:

  • Fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps
  • Tea bags 
  • Coffee grounds 
  • Eggshells

What Not to Compost:

  • Cooked food
  • Meat and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Bread
  • Biscuits
  • Baked goods
  • Pasta

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